What is the effect of adding a strong base to a buffer solution?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
What is the effect of adding a strong base to a buffer solution?
pH decreases
pH increases
pH remains constant
Buffer capacity increases
Adding a strong base to a buffer solution will increase the pH, but the buffer will resist significant changes in pH due to the presence of the weak acid.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
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Q
Q: What is the effect of adding a strong base to a buffer solution?
Solution: Adding a strong base to a buffer solution will increase the pH, but the buffer will resist significant changes in pH due to the presence of the weak acid.
Steps: 6
Step 1: Understand what a buffer solution is. A buffer solution is a mixture of a weak acid and its conjugate base that helps maintain a stable pH.
Step 2: Know what a strong base is. A strong base is a substance that completely dissociates in water to produce hydroxide ions (OH-).
Step 3: When you add a strong base to the buffer, the strong base will react with the weak acid in the buffer solution.
Step 4: This reaction reduces the amount of weak acid in the buffer, which can lead to an increase in pH (making the solution more basic).
Step 5: However, because the buffer contains both the weak acid and its conjugate base, it can still resist large changes in pH.
Step 6: The buffer will absorb some of the added strong base, preventing the pH from rising too much.
